House where Perry never made a grand entrance sells

Katy Perry has tidied up some old business, selling her fortress-like compound in Hollywood Hills West for $5.565 million.

The pop singer bought the property in 2011 with her then-husband, actor RussellBrand, for $6.5 million. But the couple never moved in and were divorced in 2012.

The double-gated Mediterranean-style house, built in 1925, features an impressive baronial stone foyer with a sweeping staircase. A two-story living room, stained-glass windows, a carved fireplace mantel in the living room, a pub, a study and a media room are among other features.

Called Park Hill, the house sits on nearly 3 acres with a caretaker’s apartment/carriage house and a guesthouse. The 8,835 square feet of living space includes a four-room master suite, two guest suites and staff quarters, seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

Perry, 29, released the album “Prism” last year. Among her previous albums are “One of the Boys” (2008) and “Teenage Dream” (2010), which included five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

She is slated to perform Jan. 26 at the Grammy Awards.

Ernie Carswell and Christopher Pickett of Teles Properties, Beverly Hills, were the listing agents. David Coe of Keller Williams represented the buyer.

Like father, like daughter

Film producer Megan Ellison seems to be taking after her billionaire father, Larry Ellison, chief executive of Oracle Corp., when it comes to making shrewd real estate purchases.

He owns a string of houses along Malibu’s exclusive Carbon Beach. She is becoming known for buying up adjacent properties to create larger holdings.

Last year she sold her three-house compound in Hollywood Hills West for close to $47 million, pocketing a gain of about $14 million in the five years since she bought the first property. Now she has spent $20 million on a striking mansion and $10 million on adjacent land to create a 9-acre mountaintop estate in the same community.

The contemporary house, looking like a cross between an art museum and a modern church, was built in 1990. The city view home features nearly 10,000 square feet of living space containing guest apartments, a bar, a gym, a media room, a sauna, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

The grounds include a grotto swimming pool with a spa, a sand volleyball court and parking for 25 vehicles.

Ellison, 27, is the founder of Annapurna Pictures. Her producer credits include “Lawless” (2012), “Zero Dark Thirty” (2010) and “True Grit” (2010).

She is also a producer on the recently released “American Hustle.”

Aaron Kirman of John Aaroe Group and Branden Williams and Rayni Romito of Hilton & Hyland were the listing agents for the house. Eric Purcell Lofthus of Hilton & Hyland had the land listing. Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty represented Ellison.

Is a quick sale in the cards?

Constance Zimmer of “House of Cards” put her home in the Hollywood Hills up for sale at $1.175 million and in 10 days it was in escrow.

The 1940s home has been updated while maintaining some of its early contemporary vibe. Walls of glass in the vaulted-ceiling living room open to a wraparound deck. The two-bedroom, 1.75-bathroom house has another, lower-level deck with a hot tub. There are views of the Hollywood sign and the cityscape.

A busy actress, Zimmer, 43, is also part of the cast this year of “The Newsroom” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” She will have a role in the midseason sitcom “Growing Up Fisher” and will guest star in the pilot of “Complications.”

Her earlier television series work includes “Entourage,” “Love Bites” and “Boston Legal.”

Public records show that Zimmer bought the property in 2006 for $1.149 million.

Boni Bryant, Joe Reichling and Patrick Moya of Sotheby’s International Realty are the listing agents.

An executive decision

Entertainment industry executive Roger Birnbaum and his wife, Pamela, have sold their Beverly Hills home for $13 million.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom contemporary farmhouse sits behind gates on close to half an acre with a swimming pool and gardens. The two-story living room has vaulted beamed ceilings, a massive fireplace and sliding glass doors that open to a covered veranda and outdoor fireplace. There is a roomy bar, a glass-enclosed wine room and an oak-paneled office.

The Birnbaums bought the 7,187-square-foot house new from former talent manager and high-end remodeler Sandy Gallin in 2007 for $16.5 million, public records show.

Roger Birnbaum, 63, and Gary Barber co-founded the film production company Spyglass Entertainment in 1998.

Stephen Shapiro and Jon Bronson of Westside Estate Agency were the listing agents. Shapiro also represented the buyer.

Meet the buyers in Pasadena

“Meet the Fockers” and “Meet the Parents” screenwriter Jim Herzfeld has sold his home in Pasadena for $3.95 million.

Unlike most residential properties in the Los Angeles area, the traditional-style house has a spring-fed pond on its nearly 1-acre site.

There’s a swimming pool, too, should the watering hole fail to suffice.

Built in 1999, the home features dormer windows and a gabled roof. The 6,600 square feet of living space includes dining, family and living rooms, two fireplaces, five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

Herzfeld bought the property in 1998 for $720,000, public records show.

Janice McGlashan of Coldwell Banker was the listing agent. Kip Barker of Podley Properties represented the buyers.

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lauren.beale@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATHotProperty